ON RADIO 316 CELEBRATING LOVE COMPETION AND THE WINNER IS….

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Gen 2:24). In Hebrews 13:4 we are told that marriage is honourable among all, and the marriage bed should not be defiled. We are also warned that God will judge fornicators and adulterers. This means that marriage is God given and it should be pure among married couples. Family Media appreciates and supports this. A promotion to honour the oldest couple among our listeners that ran on Radio 316 during the week proceeding Valentine's Day is a testimony to this.

The whole of last week Radio 316 focused on spreading love around during the Valentine's Week. Listeners were spoilt for choice as Radio 316 presenters doled out prizes that included tickets to a gospel concert at Mavuno Dome where Stitchie, a renowned gospel reggae artiste from Jamaica was performing last Sunday. There were also huge and snazzy bouquets, cakes, vouchers for lunch at some of the best five star hotels in Nairobi and a night for two at a Naivasha resort. The grand award was fully paid 2-day sojourn for the oldest couple the famous Nyali Beach Hotel in Mombasa .

Just a few minutes after 6pm on 316 Drive, Mike and Fred who host Jam 316 and 316 Drive respectively, announced the winning couple. Mzee Clement Matekwa and his wife Clara from Eregi, Kakamega in Western Kenya who have been married for 65 years were the lucky ones. Clement, whose wife is 78, turned 100 years last year December. Theirs is a story of ups and downs but their determination to stick together never let anything come between them.

The couple was nominated by their grand daughter Levine Mbelase, who called all the from the coastal town of Kilifi . She couldn't hide her exciting when she received good news from Radio 316. She says that ever since she was a young girl her grand parents have remained together through thick and thin; ever there for each other.

Clement and his wife say that the secret of a lasting marriage is putting God first, trust in each other, patience, respect, understanding, endurance etc. According to the aging Mzee Matekwa, who was a mason back in the days when he was strong, their marriage has not been a bed of roses. However, Gods' grace and the unflagging love for his wife and family have seen them overcome many obstacles. For instance, his wife had several miscarriages and stillbirths. In spite of those misfortunes, they didn't give up and God ultimately blessed them with four children who are all grown up, alive and well, with their own homes and families.

“Trusting in God, trusting each other, patience, being true to your partner, working together, believing in yourself, not letting others come between you, being their for each other in riches and poverty as well as in sickness and health, are some of the virtues that have kept us together – till death do us part. We believe God is love and with Him, marriages can last. You do not have to be rich to be happy” observes Clement.